Challenge Yourself To Think Critically

When was the last time that you challenged your thinking? How open-minded did you allow yourself when you claimed that you were ‘open to possibilities’? Which idea did you critically review, so that you discovered new perspectives and propositions?

When people openly challenge us, we almost instinctively dive into our fear response: fight, flight, or fright. Observe how a colleague responds to a question directed by a manager to him. Which were his non-verbal and verbal responses that you observed? Defensive behaviors are a result of the startle response – when a person feels threatened (fright) and attacked, and they retaliate (fight) with their comebacks, usually with anger or denial.

Thinking to think can be a refined set of skills that can be sharpened through time. However, it requires a keen sense of awareness, presence of mind, enthusiasm and curiosity. Here are some ways to engage and challenge your mind and mental models:

1)    Review one set of PowerPoint slides, and delete 10 percent of the deck (slides).

2)    Think of 3-5 other ways to use a tool.

3)    Think of 3-5 creative ways to begin your meetings.

4)    Consider how to make meetings more useful, purposeful and relevant to staff, and apply them.

5)    Think PLUS: How can you add value to a person or process?

6)    Think MINUS: What can you reduce or eliminate, to add value to a person or process?

7)    Write a short essay where you share your Good Practice on a process (such as leadership, coaching or a work process).

8)    Propose your own idea and consider feedback on it; defend it while preserving rapport with the group or individual.

Leadership Lessons: Activate your thinking today. Think of what you reduce to your life that diminishes value. What can you do to add value? How can you get more for less? Is it possible to create something of value from minimal? 

*****

I never made it to last Sunday’s MR25 5K Time trial, although about 40 participants arrived to seek their ranking. Roger Chow, co-owner of 25 Hours – a known watch retail chain – attempted and earned his membership and ranking, despite fatigued legs. Congratulations, Roger! I decided to do a three-hour ride to assess my riding legs after the brief morning rain. I met Yong Feng enroute and had a short chat; both of us were decked in our Elite bikes and gear (with Panache). He is training for Ironman Western Australia, and I wish him all the best for his quest. The Ironman World Championships is on this weekend, and I have almost finalized my prediction list. It could a two-fer for Australians, but that’s my sense of it. More will be revealed soon. Have a good week!